Bushmaster M4A3 Operator Drills

Question 1

Saefty Precautions

Answer 1

1. Identify a safe direction.
2. Finger outside the trigger guard. Aim the rifle in that safe direction
3. Set the safety selector lever to “Safe”.
4. Remove the magazine (if fitted) and physically check the magazine well.
5. Lock the bolt carrier assembly to the rear and return the charging handle to the forward position.
6. Remove the chamber safety device (if fitted)
7. Carry out two visual and physical checks of the chamber and the magazine well.
8. Strike the bolt catch releasing the bolt carrier assembly forward.
9. Close the ejection port cover.

Question 2

Pre-op Checks

Answer 2

1. Upper receiver
   - compensator / suppressor security / blockage
   - sighting system secure and functioning / aimpoint brightness control
   - lighting systems secure and functioning
   - hand guards secure
2. Lower receiver
   - pistol grip (secure)
   - visual check for damage
   - pivot pin / takedown pin fully located
3. Telestock
   - retractable stock function
   - magazine carrier secure
   - sling secure
4. Magazine
   - floor plates secure and the magazines undamaged
   - check the number, type, and alignment of ammunition

Question 3

Load

Answer 3

1. Identify a safe direction
2. Finger outside the trigger guard. Aim the rifle in that safe direction
3. Check the safety selector lever is set to “Safe”.
4. First magazine - place the magazine into the magazine carrier
5. Second magazine - insert the magazine into the rifle and tug on the base to ensure it is fully seated

Question 4

Action

Answer 4

1. identify a safe direction.
2. Finger outside the trigger guard. Aim the rifle in that safe direction.
3. Check the safety selector lever is set to “Safe”.
4. Rack the charging handle to chamber a round.
5. Pull charging handle part way to rear, look into breach, confirm round is chambered (press check)
6. Release charging handle.
7. Strike the forward assist plunger.
   Teaching Point: The press check can be carried out at any time to check a round is chambered.

Question 5

Instant

Answer 5

1. Ensure finger is outside the trigger guard.
2. Set the safety selector lever to “Fire”.
   Teaching Point: The rifle should not be moved to the “instant” state until on target and a decision has been made to fire.

Question 6

Immediate action drill
1st failure to fire

Answer 6

1. Finger off the trigger and placed outside the trigger guard.
2. Check the safety selector lever is set to “Fire”
3. Tap the base of the magazine.
4. Roll the rifle to the right.
5. Work the charging handle and chamber a round.
6. Strike the forward assist plunger.
7. Finger outside the trigger guard; Re-assess.
   Teaching Point: The officer may chose to immediately transition to a secondary weapon as an alternative to attempting the stoppage drill.

Question 7

Stoppage Drill
2nd failure to fire

Answer 7

1. Finger off the trigger and placed outside of the trigger guard.
2. Tilt and observe the breach to determine the cause of the obstruction.
3. Lock the bolt carrier to the rear and return the charging handle to the forward position.
4. Rip the magazine off the weapon.
5. Clear the upper receiver of the obstruction (either physically or visually as required).
6. Reload with a new magazine. Tap and tug to ensure seated.
7. Strike the bolt catch to chamber a fresh round.
8. Strike the forward assist plunger.
9. Finger outside the trigger guard; Re-assess
   Teaching Point: The officer may chose to immediately transition to a secondary weapon as an alternative to attempting the stoppage drill

Question 8

Return the rifle to the “Action” state

Answer 8

1. Identify a safe direction.
2. Finger outside the trigger guard. Aim the rifle in that safe direction.
3. Set the safety selector lever to “Safe”.
4. Close the ejection port cover.

Question 9

Unload

Answer 9

1. Identify a safe direction.
2. Finger outside the trigger guard. Aim the rifle in a safe direction.
3. Check the safety selector lever is set to “Safe”.
4. Remove the magazine and physically check the magazine well.
5. Roll the weapon to the right.
6. Lock the bolt carrier to the rear, ejecting any rounds, and return the charging handle to the forward position.
7. Carry out two visual and physical checks of the chamber and the magazine well.
8. Insert a chamber safety device (if applicable).
9. Release the bolt carrier assembly forward.
   Teaching Point: ease the bolt carrier assembly forward if a chamber safety device is inserted.
10. Return / secure magazines and ammunition.

Question 10

Post-op checks

Answer 10

1. Upper receiver
   - compensator / suppressor security / blockage
   - sighting system secure and functioning / aimpoint brightness control
   - lighting systems secure and functioning
   - hand guards secure
2. Lower receiver
   - pistol grip (secure)
   - visual check for damage
   - pivot pin / takedown pin fully located
3. Telestock
   - retractable stock function
   - magazine carrier secure
   - sling secure
4. Magazine
   - floor plates secure and the magazines undamaged
   - check the number, type and alignment of ammunition

Question 11

Serviceability check

Only required after cleaning and maintenance

This is best carried out by suitably qualified or competent person

Answer 11

1. Field strip the weapon.
2. Bolt carrier assembly
   a. visually inspect for proper assembly, damaged or missing parts
   b. confirm that serial numbers of bolt, bolt carrier and receiver match
3. Barrel
   a. bore for any obstructions or obvious faults / damage
   b. hand guards for security
   c. compensator for security
   d. foresight block and blade for security
4. Reassemble rifle
5. Upper receiver
   a. visual check for obvious damage
   b. charging handle latch
6. Lower receiver
   a. pivot pin, take-down pin and selector
   b. pistol grip for security
   c. visual check for obvious damage to receiver
   d. telestock for obvious damage and function
   e. sling and sling points (if fitted)
7. Lights
   a. if fitted, check security and serviceability
8. Magazines
   a. floor plate is secure, the follower is located and the magazine is undamaged

Question 12

Function test
This is carried out after cleaning and maintenance

This is best carried out by a competent person

Answer 12

1. Identify a safe direction
2. Finger outside the trigger guard. Aim the rifle in that safe direction.
3. Check the safety selector lever is set to “Safe”
4. Attempt to operate the trigger. Hammer should not fall.
5. Set the safety selector lever to “Fire”.
6. Operate the trigger and hold to the rear. Hammer should fall.
7. Work the charging handle and attain trigger reset.
8. Set the safety selector lever to “Safe”.
9. Fit an empty magazine to the rifle.
10. Work the charging handle and return the charging handle to the forward position (the bolt carrier assembly should remain locked to the rear)
11. Remove the magazine, release the bolt carrier assembly forward, close the ejection port cover.